During the interview, Hayes told Manfred Rommel: 'Your father would have made a great football coach.'

#WoodyHayes #Rommel

Hayes saw himself as a student of history, especially military history. After he was fired for striking a player on an opposing team who intercepted a pass late in a postseason bowl game, Hayes hosted and provided commentary for a series of Hollywood films about World War II that aired on a local television station.

For his discussion of the 1951 film 'The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel', Hayes interviewed Rommel's son, then Stuttgart mayor Manfred Rommel. (Toot continues.)

#WoodyHayes

The surreal image (you may need to expand the image to see it in its entirely) shows Hayes, in his horn-rimmed eyeglasses, with this headdress representing a stylised bird, with the bird's head atop Hayes' forehead. The word 'HEROIC' was superimposed in teal type on the image, on Hayes' forehead directly above his right eye.

'Heroic' is an interesting adjective to associate with Hayes, though it does resonate with the idolisation of university athletics here. (Toot continues.)

#WoodyHayes

The surreal imagery of this photo has always made it a favourite of mine. It is from a promotional card for Opera Columbus' 1985-86 season, and it shows Ohio State University's former football (American football) coach Woody Hayes in what is meant to be an ancient Egyptian-style bird headdress to promote the opera company's production of Verdi's 'Aïda'.

Woody Hayes was known for his winning record, his support for his players — and his volatile temper. (Toot continues.)

#WoodyHayes